Living Small: The Psychology of Tiny Houses

Below:

Next story in Science

Tiny houses can make big dreams come true. For an extremely small
but growing segment of the population, the diminutive dwellings
are making home ownership a real possibility.

The teensy living spaces, which are usually 500 square feet or
less, are often perched on the wheels of a flatbed trailer,
legally making them recreational vehicles (RVs), and easy to
move. These narrow homes tend to have a kitchen, bathroom and
sitting area, and usually a loft bedroom.

Tiny houses appeal to home buyers who are not interested in
"living large" and would never give
a McMansion a second thought.

For some young people, the realities of home ownership in this
economy are bleak, and tiny homes allow for entry into the market
and the chance to claim something as their own, said Dak Kopec,
an environmental psychologist and architect who directs the
Design for Human Health graduate program at The Boston
Architectural College.

The affordability of tiny homes is one reason for their current
popularity, but another reason for their appeal is that they
satisfy young
people's need for mobility, but also some roots, Kopec said.

"The tiny home is a relatively low-commitment venture that can be
easily sold or rented, at this point in time," Kopec told Live
Science. So such homes fill a need, especially for young, single
people, that gives them some freedom and flexibility as they
bounce between cities pursuing their career goals and personal
aspirations, he said.

Whether tiny homes will turn out to be a fad or not hinges in
large part on the economy, Kopec said. If the middle class
continues to dwindle, the tiny homes will likely become more
popular because people will need affordable housing, he said.
[ 10
Ways to Green Your Home ]

The tiny house movement began as a small grassroots effort, but
the concept has intrigued so many people that it now has its own
TV shows like "Tiny House Hunters" and "Tiny House Nation." There
are also DIY house-building kits, and an active community of
bloggers and tiny-living enthusiasts who share information and
advice about the lifestyle.

Besides their lower living costs, tiny abodes have many other
attractive qualities that have piqued the public's curiosity and
the media's fascination with them. For example, some folks are
drawn to these micro residences because of environmental concerns
and their eco-friendliness.

A tiny house leaves a
lighter carbon footprint, and so homeowners feel they are
making a positive contribution to the world, said Sally Augustin,
an environmental psychologist and the founder of Design with
Science in Chicago.

With little space and limited storage, a tiny house can also be
part of a conscious shift toward a simpler life. Moving into one
might require dramatic downsizing of clothing, housewares,
furniture and other possessions, but the benefits are less house
to clean and maintain, as well as lower housing payments and
utility bills.

Other advantages of "living tiny" are that people feel in control
of their housing experience and have more privacy, especially if
the other affordable housing alternatives involve
living with roommates, Augustin said.

Having a house that's their own, no matter how tiny, may strike
some people as cozy and comforting, while others might consider
the living space cramped and claustrophobic.

"A tiny home is a very different way to live and some people who
have a high need for uniqueness may view living in one as a
psychological boost," Augustin told Live Science. [ 9
DIY Ways to Improve Your Mental Health ]

The space constraints of tiny houses may make them unrealistic
for families or older adults, she said. But still, Augustin
believes that the tiny house movement has a lot going for it
financially, environmentally and even psychologically, and she
suspects the trend will continue to grow, with communities of
tiny homes popping up featuring shared facilities for
self-storage, laundry or socializing.

She shared a few design tips to make tiny houses — or any small
living space — seem more spacious. Using light colors on the
walls, like a light sage green, can make a room seem larger and
more
relaxing, Augustin said.

She also said to make sure there are sound-absorbing surfaces,
such as rugs or curtains, so the living space doesn't feel like a
box and it's not too echo-y. Using curvy rather than rectilinear
patterns in towels or a rug on the floor can also be comforting,
Augustin suggested.

Although storage will be at a premium, tiny-house dwellers should
find ways to tuck things out of view so the space is not too
complex visually, she said.

She also recommended, "Don't make these living environments too
stark. Personalize a tiny home in small ways to feel comfortable
living there."